Running a business like a dental practice opens the employer up to lawsuits over their employment practices. Examples include allegations of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, discrimination, or retaliation arising from interactions with an employee. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the top employment liability claim in 2018 was for retaliation. Number two
on the Top Five list were sexual harassment claims. The last three types of claims were wage and hour litigation arising from the gig economy, gender pay gap claims and the impact of marijuana legalization on the workplace.
Prudent dentists will be certain to have an employment practices liability policy in place to handle the defense costs of such litigation. The Professional Protector Plan, endorsed by the Michigan Dental Association and available only from MDA Insurance, offers EPL coverage options. The base PPP policy provides defense coverage for eligible claims. An optional endorsement is available that adds an indemnity provision to the EPL defense coverage which protects against monetary damage awards.
To learn more about EPL or to get a quote on this important protection, call 800-860-2272 and ask for a PPP agent, or email commins@mdaifg.com.